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The song is likely to have been written several years before 1834 when this text was printed. Dover expanded rapidly after 1801 and attempts were made to develop the town as a resort. [Dover Museum http://www.dovermuseum.co.uk/Dover-History/19th-Century-Dover/19th-Century-Dover.aspx]

[Note 089.1] A journey time of nine hours from London would be broadly consistent with the journey time from London to Margate. Bargery 242 - Margate Steam Yacht, claims that journey took 11 hours.

[Note 089.2] Brighton did not have a pier when this text was printed so passengers were rowed from ship to shore by local boatmen.

[Note 089.3] them ere white things on the beach are probably bathing machines within which people removed their clothes prior to bathing.

[Note 089.4] The suggestion of adultery would be consistent with the piece having been written some years before 1834 by which time such explicitness would have been frowned upon. For example Bargery 591 Steam-ery printed c1830 uses "inexpressible" as a euphemism for trousers or breeches.

[Note 089.5] During the later Regency period little boys wore skeleton suits, and frilled collar shirts. The fashion for collars persisted until the time that this text was printed[Callahan, Colleen R. History of Children's Clothing. http://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/history-childrens-clothing]